Tickle Spots.

Caleb is starting to laugh more and more and it is so fun!  I love finding tickle spots.

When Andie was born, we had to work so hard to get her to laugh and to this day, we still do.  She can hold a straight face for a very long time.  When she finally does laugh, it's mostly fake.  But there is a good occasion when we get a real laugh from her - her tickle spot.  Under her arms, gets her every time. 

I remember thinking when she was young, that her cousin David was a giggler.  He is only 10 days younger then her.  I remember thinking, "I hope our next child is a giggler!"  Enter Ali.  Ali is the giggliest girl around.  You just have to look at her and she giggles. I LOVE IT!  That unsaid prayer was answered.  You don't even have to touch Ali and she giggle uncontrolable at times.  If you do get a finger on her - it's hilarious and contagious.  Ali's tickle spot - anywhere!

Adalyn, she's a good medium.  You can get her laughing, but you have to get the right spot.  She is good at giving the fake laugh, or laughing really quick and then stopping.  However, if you find her collar bones - watch out.  She busts up.  I love getting in there and her little neck and shoulders shrug in trying to protect herself.  She is a fun one to tickle.

Then there is Caleb.  He's just starting out - and will giggle when you act goofy.  Occasionally, you can get him going when you tickle his feet.  But - for now, his tickle spot is just under his rib cage on his side and back.  You get that spot and you have a giggling, squirming baby.  It's so fun!

We love to laugh!

Happy Anniversary!

Shawn and I celebrated our 7th wedding anniversary on the 20th.  We've had a wonderful 7 years together and continue to look forward to what lies ahead.

 Since our anniversary was on a Sunday, we celebrated in style with the family. We had a steak dinner, with spinach salad, potatoes, corn for Shawn, rolls and strawberry-banana dinner.

 Ali entertained Caleb for quiet a while.  It's always nice when the children get along.

 You can't have an anniversary without dessert!  I made this chocolate bunt cake - it was delicious!

Andie said we needed a picture of the two of us.  Here we are after 7 years together.  How do we look?  Tired?  We're excited to almost be done with doctorate school this year.  We have four wonderful children, who keep us busy!  Shawn has been working every day, every Saturday and every evening to try and finish up.  Life is moving forward, for that, we are grateful!

Tummy Time

I thought I would share a few video's we've taken recently.  The first one is entertainment from Adalyn and Caleb late one night.  Both of these young'ns have decided they don't need to sleep at night anymore.  Adalyn usually wakes up around 2 or 3 am and is up for 2 to 3 hours.  Caleb, who has slept through the night and/or used to wake up only once during the night, is now waking up 3 times.  I don't think he's been feeling too good.  Adalyn on the other had, must think she lives on the other side of the world.  She doesn't take a nap either.  Oh - I love kids when they are young!  (wink, wink)

Next, Caleb is working on lifting his head during tummy time.  At his 4 month appointment, the Dr. recommended him to a pediatric physical therapist for his head lag.  If you laid him on the floor and then tried to sit him up pulling his arms, his head would hang back and never come forward.  Apparently by this age, they should be able to lift it up and hold it.  We asked a neighbor of ours, who is a physical therapist for some strengthening exercises and this was a major one.  We did it with Caleb twice and he is a pro at lifting his head now - no more lag!  I guess he was just being lazy!  Either way, the pediatric PT still hasn't contacted us for an appointment (one week later) so we're glad Taylor was willing to help out. 

 He has also recently discovered his tongue.  When we pick him up from the crib, his tongue is usually sticking out.  With his pokey ears - he looks quiet cute!

 The girls love playing with him while he's on his tummy.  Ali was evening kind enough to put a pink headband on for him.  He certainly is loved!

Finally, I had to get a video of Andie conducting music.  From a very young age, she has easily found the beat to any song and been able to keep it through clapping, dancing, head bobbing, etc.  Well, for family night last week, she was in charge of conducting the music and whipped out this awesome conducting!  She is so musically talented - I'm excited to see her continue to grow.  I asked her how she learned to conduct so well, she said, "I just know in my head."  Later, she told me that sometimes she looks at the back of the hymn book to see different ways to conduct.  I am continually amazed at how smart this little girls is.  I just love how her wrists snap on each beat.  Too Cute!

Caleb - 4 months

Our little man is 4 months old now!  In ways it's hard to believe, in other ways - it's as if he's always been a part of our family!  He had his check-up on Tuesday and is quiet the little guy.  He only weighed 12lbs. (10%) and was 27 inches long!  (95%)  He is tall and skinny! 

Let's compare to the other children.

Ali at 4 months weighed 15lbs. 9oz.  I have noted down that she was getting her 2nd tooth on her 4 month birthday!  Crazy!

Adalyn was 11lbs. 1oz (the smallest) and 25 1/2 inches long.  She looks so grown up, but was just 4 months in this picture!

Andie, I don't have her stats right in front of me, but I have her picture!

I think it's safe to say Caleb was definitely the tallest at 4 months - and I thought the skinniest, but alas, that was Adalyn!  Either way - they're all pretty cute. 

Who do you think looks alike?

Satisfied.

Friday Night was date night - and oh - it was a good one.  We get these coupon books from one of the local elementary schools.  It's mostly buy one, get one free restaraunt coupons, which is perfect for date night.  We, like most people, love to go on date - but we are perfectly content just going out to eat.  We don't need anything more creative.  It's nice to eat without trying to compete with the kids!  It's nice to NOT cook dinner.  It's just nice to go out.

So, this past Friday, we tried a new place called Sakura!  Have you ever gone to a restaraunt and then kicked yourself for it?  Totally me - but I was kicking myself for not using our coupon for this place for the last 4 years.  That's 8 wasted coupons!  How silly of me!

The food was so satisfying and so delicious.  You can choose to sit around a hibachi grill or in a dining room.  We did the dining room because we had Caleb.  We did order the Hibachi dinner though and it was SO, so good.  Shawn had the chicken, I had the steak.  I would definitely give this place a 2 thumbs up!  And, if any of my local friends don't want to use their coupon, I'll take it!  (you definitely want to go with a coupon though)

Happy Date Night!

New Year = New Goals

I love the feeling of a fresh start.  This past Sunday, Shawn and I discussed and came up with a family goal for the year!  Here is a little picture of what will soon be on a large poster for us to hang and remember throughout the year. 

I know, it looks busy - but it's on a 8x10 paper.  I was going to do it on the computer and print out a large poster - but then our computer crashed.  I'm glad it's up working again (for the moment - it's been crashing regularly for a few weeks now and takes a few days before it will come back on.  It's just got to last us until we find a job!)  Anyway - on with the goal.

Our family goal this year is to S.M.I.L.E.  :)  That should be pretty easy to remember, right?  It comes from 2 Nephi 9:39, where it really stands for Spiritually-Minded Is Life Eternal.  We hope to increase the spirituality in our family, which in turn will bring more love, patience and kindness.  We choose the scripture Philippians 4:13 to help us remember "I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me."  We also choose the song, "I Am A Child of God" which teaches one of the most important doctrines of our church - we are ALL children of our Heavenly Father.  It also happens to be the primary theme this year, so it will be reinforced each Sunday at church!

To further explain the chart, each month we will have a virtue to work on.  We will focus our Family Home Evenings around the theme and try each day.  For example, January is Joy!  What can we do today to find more joy?  Most of these come from Galatians 5:22, fruits of the spirit.  If we strengthen these fruits, the spirit is bound to with us and therefore make it easier to S.M.I.L.E.  

The little pebbles in between each month, are smaller goals that will help us move from month to month.  Actions such as attending the temple each month, completing our home and visiting teaching, going on dates, eating healthy, and continuing in our family scripture study and prayers.  Each of these will be markers of our monthly progress and help us achieve the goal.  To be a Happy Family and an Eternal Family!

I know that if we work together, that we can accomplish our goal and grow closer together as a family.  The girls LOVE having something to measure success - so I think this poster will be a positive addition to accomplishing our goal.  I also made one other chart for them to mark daily.  We are always trying to eat healthy and teach our children to be healthy and make good choices.  It's a lifestyle that is important - and if we teach them young, it will be their lifestyle, rather then one they have to work on.  So, to help this year, we are focusing on drinking more water and eating more fruits and vegetables. 

Each day, we color in how much water we drank and if we ate all our vegetables and fruits.  It is fun to see the girls so excited.  Andie is the most supportive.  Yesterday, after school, she asked, "Mom, did you plan a vegetable for dinner tonight?  If not, I want to have some carrots or lettuce for a snack."  haha - I loved it!

Happy Goal Setting and Accomplishing!

Welcome 2013

Happy New Year!

It has been a very nice, quiet and relaxing break this year.  We haven't done anything besides lounge around in our pajamas, play and enjoy time together.  One of the favorite things for the girls to do is take a video (below) of themselves!  Often, we hook up the camera to the TV and they watch themselves dance.  I wish I could record them watching themselves on TV - it is very entertaining. 

 So, here are a few snapshots of them laughing and dancing together. 

 Then, the girls wanted to decorate and do Dad's hair.  He sure is a good sport. 

 Mom's turn! 

 A few days into the year, I decided it was time for haircuts.  I always give my kids the option of how much or little they want cut off.  Ali, is always extreme (like her mom)  we cut nearly 5 inches off!  I love it.  Andie and Adalyn both got a trim.  No picture, because I don't think you could really tell a difference and they didn't want to get one.

 Ali on the other hand is adorable and hilarious, as always.  I love the picture below - her face is classic.

Shawn is back to work full-time (including Saturday's again).  We enjoyed having him home a little bit more over the last two weeks.  He's got a big push to finish by May (for sure by August!)  There is a lot to be done - but we know he can do it.  We anticipate big changes in 2013 - but are continuing to enjoy the journey as is.


Caleb is doing great!  He is sleeping through the nights with an occasional waking up once to nurse here and there.  He is loved by everyone in the house and probably gets way too much attention we all love to spoil him!  Shawn got him laughing the other night.  It is so fun to watch him develop.  We love him so much.

We hope you are all enjoying the new year.  We have a lot to work on as a family.  We have our day to day struggles, like so many.  We're grateful (in hindsight) for the trails we have, to strengthen us and encourage us to do a little better each day!  We're not perfect - but we're trying. 

Here are videos from the girls from New Year's Day.  They saw themselves on TV, but I'm not sure they knew that I was recording them as well.  Enjoy!